Did Harry Greb ever spar with Jess Willard ?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Unforgiven, Jan 13, 2011.


Page 1 of 2
  1. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

    58,748
    21,578
    Nov 24, 2005
    I know Willard was reportedly seeking out the services of Greb as a sparring partner prior to the Dempsey fight.
    Did they ever actually spar ?
     
    Unforgiven, Jan 13, 2011
    Unforgiven, Jan 13, 2011
    #1
  2. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,623
    1,889
    Dec 2, 2006
    Dunno but I doubt it. Judging by the McMahon fight Greb boxes rings around him in a decision contest though.
     
    mattdonnellon, Jan 13, 2011
    mattdonnellon, Jan 13, 2011
    #2
  3. klompton

    klompton Boxing Addict banned

    5,667
    39
    Jul 6, 2005
    No, but Willard had a great respect for Greb and predicted on several occasions that he would beat Dempsey.
     
    klompton, Jan 13, 2011
    klompton, Jan 13, 2011
    #3
  4. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

    38,042
    7,559
    Jul 28, 2004
    Could have been a bit of a case of hard feelings from big Jess there concerning Dempsey.:think
     
    red cobra, Jan 13, 2011
    red cobra, Jan 13, 2011
    #4
    BoxingFanOfIranianDescent likes this.
  5. klompton

    klompton Boxing Addict banned

    5,667
    39
    Jul 6, 2005
    Willard was bragging on Greb before he was ever matched with Dempsey.
     
    klompton, Jan 13, 2011
    klompton, Jan 13, 2011
    #5
  6. Bobby Sinn

    Bobby Sinn Bulimba Bullant Full Member

    5,402
    4
    Jun 20, 2010
    What point in time was this? 1917? Had Willard frequented sparring sessions or bouts of Greb's? Just curious.
     
    Bobby Sinn, Jan 13, 2011
    Bobby Sinn, Jan 13, 2011
    #6
  7. klompton

    klompton Boxing Addict banned

    5,667
    39
    Jul 6, 2005
    As early as late 1917.

    Willard tried to hire Greb in May/June of 1919 to spar with him in preperation for Dempsey. Red Mason thanked him for the offer but declined as Greb had several fights booked and was making far more money fighting actual bouts than sparring, he also intended to challenge the winner.
     
    klompton, Jan 13, 2011
    klompton, Jan 13, 2011
    #7
  8. Bobby Sinn

    Bobby Sinn Bulimba Bullant Full Member

    5,402
    4
    Jun 20, 2010
    Klompton, as ferocious as Dempsey appeared against Willard, the mind boggles as to how a Dempsey/Greb bout may have unravelled. Willard was a flat footed punch bag vs the yound JD, literally there to be hit after the first KD.. All things aside, I'd be suprised at Grebs ability to handle Dempsey over the 12 round journey, especially with 20+lbs??? in the 23 (turning 24) y/o Dempsey's favour.
     
    Bobby Sinn, Jan 13, 2011
    Bobby Sinn, Jan 13, 2011
    #8
  9. Johnstown

    Johnstown Boxing Addict banned

    5,695
    12
    Aug 30, 2010
    well the thing is greb and dempsey did spar and greb seemed to generally have the upperhand...of course sparring is sparring and fighting is fighting.
     
    Johnstown, Jan 13, 2011
    Johnstown, Jan 13, 2011
    #9
  10. Surf-Bat

    Surf-Bat Boxing Addict Full Member

    6,736
    97
    Jul 20, 2010
    No but the only man to legitimately KO Greb, Joe Chip, was a regular sparring partner for Willard as he prepared for Dempsey.
     
    Surf-Bat, Jan 13, 2011
    Surf-Bat, Jan 13, 2011
    #10
  11. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

    58,748
    21,578
    Nov 24, 2005
    I love how these guys just used to seek out some of the best fighters in the world to spar with prior to a title fight.

    I mean, some people make a big deal out of Greb giving Dempsey an alleged thrashing two days in a row, then, according to some, being fired by Kearns, but it's remarkable that he was there in the first place !
    This was a couple of weeks out from the Miske title fight, I believe (correct me if I'm wrong).
     
    Unforgiven, Jan 13, 2011
    Unforgiven, Jan 13, 2011
    #11
  12. klompton

    klompton Boxing Addict banned

    5,667
    39
    Jul 6, 2005
    try a couple of days...
     
    klompton, Jan 13, 2011
    klompton, Jan 13, 2011
    #12
  13. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

    58,748
    21,578
    Nov 24, 2005
    :shock:
    that's what I'm talking about. :good
     
    Unforgiven, Jan 13, 2011
    Unforgiven, Jan 13, 2011
    #13
  14. Johnstown

    Johnstown Boxing Addict banned

    5,695
    12
    Aug 30, 2010
    Last really big name fighter to spar to help another top fighter was mosely for odh (in prep for mayweather) and recently khan and pac...of course the wlad klit sparred some with vitali for the lewis fight.
     
    Johnstown, Jan 14, 2011
    Johnstown, Jan 14, 2011
    #14
  15. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

    42,723
    269
    Jul 22, 2004
    Delahoya had plenty of big name sparring partners, they just weren't allowed to hit him :yep

    Allot of top boxers still spar with each other though
     
    PowerPuncher, Jan 14, 2011
    PowerPuncher, Jan 14, 2011
    #15
Page 1 of 2